Antelope killed at Michigan zoo while being introduced to pygmy hippo in same habitat

A pygmy hippo attacked and killed an antelope as the two animals were being introduced to one another at a Michigan zoo.

John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids said the sitatunga antelope named Chopper was slated to be part of a new multi-species habitat, which includes pygmy hippos. The zoo had successful “visual introductions” with the animals before the fatal interaction Tuesday, May 16.

“Trained animal care staff were attempting a controlled introduction of our pygmy hippo with Chopper inside their habitat when the pygmy hippo suddenly attacked Chopper,” the zoo said in a Facebook post.

The animals were quickly separated. The zoo said Chopper was given emergency care, but he died from his injuries.

Chopper was born in 2016 at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and also spent time in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

John Ball Zoo had introduced Chopper to the public in a Facebook post three days before he was killed.

The zoo said Tuesday it was “deeply saddened” by Chopper’s death.

“This sad incident reminds us that despite enormous cautionary measures taken by zoo staff over the last several weeks, the behavior of wild animals can be unpredictable,” the zoo said.

The male pygmy hippo involved in the incident is named Jahari, according to MLive. Jahari was brought to John Ball Zoo from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium in March “to prepare for future breeding opportunities.”

This story was originally published May 17, 2023 at 8:55 AM with the headline "Antelope killed at Michigan zoo while being introduced to pygmy hippo in same habitat."